The tensions started in April when the current president, Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run for a third term in office. Mr Nkurunziza was re-elected in July, but disrupted by opposition leader, Agathon Rwasa.
Last month the government called for opposition to lay down their weapons, but tit-for-tat killings have increased. On Friday 87 people were killed in the capital, many killed as enemies of the state.
Burundi is home to two major ethic groups, Hutus and Tutsis, the same as neighbouring Rwanda.
Tribal tensions have increased as the government continues to restrict citizen's freedom. Press freedom has been squeezed and some European Union countries and the United States have advised citizens not to travel to the country.
UK charity Tearfund has been working in Burundi since the early 1990s and has launched a week of prayer in partnership with Rwandan and Burundian churches to ask for peace and a resolution to the tensions.
Tim Raby, from Tearfund's Southern and East African team, said: "Only a negotiated political settlement will truly bring an end to the violence there. We need Got to intervene both to influence those who can bring an end to the conflict but also immediate support to those who need it most.
"The prospects don't look very good at the moment. If I didn't have the hope I have a Christian I wouldn't be feeling very hopeful at all. But of course the message of Christmas is a message of hope.
"Where the church is active, as it is in Burundi, there is always hope, but speaking in earthly terms it doesn't look good at the moment.
"Any prayers and funds we can give are all vitally needed at the moment."
Tearfund has produced a prayer guide available on their website and twitter account to highlight the important topics to pray over this week.
Listen to Premier's Antony Bushfield speak to Tim Raby here:
By Megan Howe